APC Back-UPS ES 550 - making Clicking Noises

[Anonymous user]

I've had an APC (Back-UPS ES 8 Outlet 550VA 120V) since Jan. 2011 used solely for my Desktop Computer and I have never had an issue until a week or two ago. It started making these quick "clicking noises" - one click, then a second click within approx 2-3 seconds. I never 'actually' lost power.

The unit never beeps and the green power light is on and it never turns off, blinks or has gone to red (indicating that the battery needs to be changed). I have had the unit plugged directly into an outlet and the same equipment plugged in for over a year.

The odd thing is that the clicking happens even when the computer and all other equipment is shut off (while still plugged in), so it's not an overload from what's plugged into the UPS unit.

If I check the PowerChute Performance and Status - it has never reported or shown any "power problem" until tonight. When the clicking noises happen, it drains the battery every time it occurs. It can drop from 100% to 88% when the clicking occurs and again down to 75% if it happens a second time within a few short minutes.

The reported problem shown recently mentions a "Blackout - unit switch (1) time for 5 seconds". Though every other time it never indicated a "Blackout" when it has happened over 30-50 times. This is happening without any actual power outages. Is this an indication that it may be time to replace the UPS unit even if the battery life light hasn't turned red?

Sensitivity is on Medium - it always has been.

Voltage is set at: If AC utility goes below 92 Volts or above 139 Volts - which to my knowledge it has always been set at. The input voltage is currently showing at 122 volts.
So any thoughts as to what could be causing these short clicking power "blackouts"? and why now..when nothing has changed in years?

I should also mention some other Specs:

Windows 7 Home Edition
PowerChute personal edition 3.0.2
RAM - 15.96 GB
Free Disk Space - 299.98 GB
Firmware version - 843.k2.D

I tried plugging the APC UPS unit into a different outlet for about 30-40 minutes with nothing but a laptop plugged in and I didn't hear a single "click". Though that outlet and the original outlet it's been plugged into for a couple years have both been tested with a digital multimeter and both outlets seem fine.

Any help would be appreciated. I checked other similar questions and saw no real "resolved" answers. I know the unit should generally be replaced between 3-4 years. If there is no work around or if this is an indication that the unit is failing, then I'll likely buy a new updated model.

[BillP]

Hi,

The issue could be that something else on the original circuit is causing a brief power draw or distortion that the UPS see. Has anything been added to the circuit recently?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Bill,

The same devices have been plugged into the same circuit the outlet is on and the same outlet the UPS has been plugged into for over a couple years. 

Last night I decided to check another outlet again, in case I missed something when I plugged the UPS into a different outlet last time. So I plugged the UPS into an outlet on the other side of the room (without anything plugged into the UPS) which is running on a different circuit and after 30 minutes I plugged in a small space heater..without turning it on. In another 15 minutes I was going to give up and then I heard it click-click and sure enough it would seem there is an issue with the UPS and not the outlets or power in the room.

I may give it one more try on a completely different circuit in the foyer's outlet and see if it click-clicks again. Though I think I'm ready to purchase a new UPS unit at this point.

It also shows 4 separate "Blackouts" now on the PowerChute application. Though I have heard at least another 12 clicks that weren't picked up on the program's status information. I think it's only picking up the clicking that is far enough apart to cause the battery to kick in for a split second. The total time for all 4 "Blackouts" is 19 seconds.. approx. 4-5 seconds for each instance.